Niagara State Public Health (NRPH) urges residents to protect themselves from rabies by ensuring that their dogs and cats have up-to-date rabies vaccines, not allowing them to roam unattended and unattended, avoiding any contact with wildlife. Animals and report any wildlife behaving abnormally, especially raccoons, to local animal control services.
All instances where a wild animal bites or scratches a human should also be reported to the NRPH at 905-688-8248, ext. 7590 or toll free 1-888-505-6074, as an animal infected with rabies may show no symptoms. The health unit is available to receive calls for animal bites at any time.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests along with local SPCAs and Humane Societies continue to conduct increased surveillance activities for rabies animals, the NRPH said in a June 20 press release.
So far this year, five skunks in Niagara have been infected with the deadly virus, which can be transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals. Last year, 14 animals – 12 skunks and two raccoons – contracted rabies in the area.
Rabies, which can be fatal to humans, usually presents with flu-like symptoms. From there, those who are infected may experience fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, agitation, anxiety, confusion, hyperactivity, difficulty swallowing, excessive salivation, hallucinations, insomnia, and even partial paralysis. Anyone who suspects they may have been bitten by a wild animal should seek immediate medical attention.
